It's been a while since I last posted a blog here, so I wanted to just catch you all up on my travels and adventures a bit.

When I came back out on the road, I didn't really expect to be going full time, but things have worked out so that I truly have NO weekends free until July, and if Mike of Ear Art has his way, I won't be free then, either!  But, I've chosen to spend at least a couple of weekends just hanging out with all my friends at Great Lakes, and not working the entire time I'm there.  I missed out on so much last year because I worked the whole faire...but...I was purchasing a camper so I needed the extra money.  Hopefully, this year, I won't be in need of more money than I'll already have with me to play with.  But, then, there's the rub!

While I was in Florida, my car died, so I bought a van.  Great price, real LEMON!!!  I've sunk far too much money into it, and am re-building it from the ground up...LITERALLY!  It's still in need of some kind of repair, but hopefully I'll make it to Great Lakes where Hank can put her up on the rack and figure out what's wrong.  So, I might end up working a couple or three weekends to pay for that repair, anyway.

So, since I've come back out on the road, I've worked the Kentucky Faire, Ohio, Holly, Carolina, Key West (Pirates in Paradise), Gainesville, Fort Lauderdale, Four Winds (TEXAS), and right now, Tennessee.  I've got Kentucky and Great Lakes and back to Ohio/Michigan, and start the cycle all over again!  I love it!  I'm hoping we can work another faire or two into the tour, but right now, I'm good.

I had an ARRRSOME time in Key West with all the wonderful Pirates!  Can't wait to go back there again this year.  And, I found another "Magical" Faire in Texas...the Four Winds Faire.  It's small, but I know it's going to be great eventually.  The thing is, the people there are just freakin' amazing!!!  I love them so very much!  Again, I hope we go back there again next year.  They have to most fun events, including a traditional Masqued Ball, Bacchanalia, and Gypsy Barter Town, along with Jousting, Archery and Axe Throwing Tournaments.  It's awesome there!  Oh, I also had dinner with none other than "The Other Jack Sparrow"...twice!  He's been a friend of mine on here for YEARS, and I got to meet him in person just this year at Four Winds...His home faire!  We had a wonderful time getting to know each other.

Aside from vehicle woes and the inclement weather, (and that's an understatement!), all in all, my travels to the various faires have been great!  I've met the best people, and enjoyed seeing beautiful places.  I hope to continue to do so, at least for the next five years or so.  (That's what a "Reader" told me, anyway.) 

Next stop...Kentucky Highland Festival.  I'm hoping it turns out better than last year!

My heartfelt thanks goes to Mr. Ron Tamburrino and the other Trumbull Township Trustees for reminding me and many hundreds of us just how special the Great Lakes Medieval Faire is. While the battle rages on between Larry Rickard, GLMF's owner, and the township, we the the vendors and playtrons have formed a much more cohesive bond. Our individual relationships have now melded together to form a more solidified union. We didn't scatter like roaches at the first sight of bogus legal documents being forced upon us. Instead, we behaved more like a herd of threatened elephants, protecting our own. We joined our bodies and our spirits together to ward off that which threatens not only our home and livelihood, but also our basic legal rights. It is you we have to thank, Mr. Tamburrino, for reminding us of just how much we need each other, especially in these hard economic times, when government steps in everyday trampling on the people because of its greed and need to fill its belly and coffers with that which the sweat of its citizens has built. But, we won't go quietly. We won't slink away with our tails tucked between our legs. NO! I say HELL NO! We won't go! However, should by some horrendous twist of fate, you and your evil empire steal our beloved Avaloch, I swear to you, the spirits of all who have entered her gates shall not rest! Nor shall these spirits give rest to those who would attempt to profit or live on these hallowed grounds. For you see, now it is not only our physical beings which enter six weeks out of every year, but our very souls, which in many cases shall return to Avaloch to play and share a special bond of love and admiration not found anywhere else on this earth! You may close the gates and lock them up tight, but there is no gate high enough, nor any lock strong enough to keep our spirits out. We will haunt this wood of the Great Lakes Medieval Faire forever! The spirits of our dearly departed are there now, keeping vigil over our home. You may fight us, but good luck fighting them! Those who loved this faire, who died loving it, and whose spirits we have memorialized there, as we never want to forget them when we come to celebrate our annual reunion. Avaloch will be haunted eternally by their spirits and ours, and you shall find no rest, nor peace, unless you forget your small-minded ways of thinking and stop trying to profit from something you had no hand in building. Leave the Great Lakes Medieval Faire to its people. The ones who built it with their own sweat and blood, and who love it enough to return each year whether it puts money into there pockets or not. You see, my dear Trustees, for six weekends out of every year, there is one place in this world where there is truly something more desirable and enticing than the almighty dollar. There is a sense of "family", of love, of fun, and acceptance, no matter WHO YOU are, as long as you come with an open heart, an open mind and respect for your fellow man. To all who read this, if you or someone you know is a Trumbull Township resident, please vote for GRIFFITH and KOVACK for Trustees! Tamburrino and Clay have played Dick-tator long enough! Take back your township and demand an accounting of your tax dollars! Politicians and diapers should be changed often, and for the same reason!